Milton Academy speaker from Stoughton embraces first real friends

Erin Tiernan Erin Tiernan The Patriot Ledger @ErinTiernan

Tuesday

Jun 19, 2018 at 4:08 PMJun 19, 2018 at 4:08 PM

When Edowaye Idahor of Stoughton transferred to Milton Academy in her freshman year she said she'd never had a real friendship, but after four years at the boarding school, Idahor said she's forged relationships that she knows will last a lifetime.

It wasn't the first time Idahor had switched schools when she got to Milton as a 14-year-old and she said her constant moves made it hard for her to make friends, but it wasn't long before Idahor and two other bright-eyed freshmen girls bonded over a Slinky in the dormitory hallway. Those girls would eventually become her best friends, she said.

Now, even though Idahor is moving on from another school, she said this time she's leaving knowing she'll always have her friends.

"Today, I’m graduating knowing that, even though I’m leaving yet another school, I will keep the friends I made here with me through whatever I end up doing and wherever I end up going," said Iadohor, one of two students who gave valedictory addresses. "I’m not going to lie and say I’ll keep in touch with everyone, especially considering my track record, or that I’ll miss or cherish every memory and experience I’ve had here. But I will miss the place that gave me some of my first real friends."

The 183 graduates of Milton Academy's Class of 2018 gathered for the last time on campus on Friday to receive their diplomas.

In his valedictory address, Jack Sloane told his classmates to "embrace the go."

Using a large red stop sign and bright green "go" sign, Sloane illustrated his point, urging his classmates not to let the fears or anything else hold them back

"In times of discomfort and uncertainty, we, as humans, often just want to stop, and cling to familiarity and comfort. And that’s fine; it’s healthy," he said. "However, I’d argue that it is more beneficial for us to overcome our fears, defeat our obstacles, and go. For where there is uncertainty, there may also well be opportunity."

Keynote speaker C.J. Hunt, a 2003 graduate and field producer on the Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" had a similar message for graduates. He reminded graduates that Milton Academy was a safe space for them to constantly reinvent themselves and try new things and encouraged them to continue to do that as they move forward in life.

"I’ll bet that somewhere among those tries you discovered something about yourself that you never saw coming. I’ll even bet that some of you now define yourself by a talent or skill you discovered here. All we are is a collection of the things we’ve tried," Hunt said.